Paul Harvey - Kite Flying - Harold's Old Time Radio

Summary

Episode Summary: Paul Harvey - Kite Flying

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Paul Harvey - Kite Flying
Release Date: April 10, 2025

Introduction

In this evocative episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Paul Harvey - Kite Flying," listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio. The episode masterfully weaves a narrative that combines the simple joy of kite flying with a tale of community, resilience, and unexpected heroism. Through vivid storytelling, the host captures the essence of a bygone era where families gathered around the radio to share in captivating stories and experiences.

The Tale of Kelly Foss and His Kites

[00:30] The episode introduces Kelly Foss, a dedicated kite enthusiast from Amarillo, Texas. Kelly's passion for kites is evident as he owns a diverse collection, including four distinct types: miniature sled kites, small deltas, medium-sized parafoils, and his prized 32-inch red and yellow parafoil kite. Each year, Kelly participates in a fishing outing at Lake Meredith, a tradition sponsored by his radio station, KDJW, and its sister station, KBUY.

Notable Quote:
"This is a kite tale," the narrator begins, setting the stage for Kelly's adventurous spirit.

The Stormy Past and a Bold Return

Last year's outing did not go as planned. On a serene Sunday afternoon, May 4th, Kelly launched his beloved parafoil kite into what seemed to be a perfect sky. However, an unexpected thunderstorm brewed, causing the kite to vanish into the darkened clouds. Despite this unfortunate event, Kelly's optimism remained unshaken.

[00:30] Determined to not let past mishaps dampen his enthusiasm, Kelly returned the following year with another kite. His coworkers, remembering last year's incident, playfully teased him, saying, "Here comes Ben Franklin," to which Kelly responded with good-natured laughter, showcasing his resilient character.

The Spectacular Flight and Sudden Turmoil

[00:30] On the day of the outing, buoyed by fair weather and the supportive cheers of his friends, Kelly launched his 32-inch red and yellow parafoil kite once more. The kite ascended gracefully, reaching heights of 300 feet, its string resonating with a melodious sing from the steady breeze. The sight was nothing short of spectacular, indicating that Kelly had redeemed himself from last year's unfortunate event.

However, tranquility was short-lived. An unforeseen powerful gust of wind sent the kite into a frenzied dance in the sky. Kelly attempted to regain control, but the nylon line slackened, and the kite plunged into a chaotic dive.

Notable Quote:
"As though it had a mind of its own," the narrator emphasizes the kite's unpredictable behavior, illustrating the sudden shift from calm to chaos.

The Climactic Rescue

As the kite spiraled out of control, approaching the treeline ominously, panic set in among the attendees. The crowd watched in disbelief as the parafoil swerved dramatically before plunging into the lake.

[00:30] Amidst the murmurs and light-hearted jests, such as, "Ben Franklin does it again," Kelly's friend Charlie Holland sprang into action. Charlie, the husband of a coworker, bravely dove into the murky waters to retrieve the fallen kite. His swift action not only salvaged Kelly's kite but inadvertently led to a life-saving rescue.

Unbeknownst to the group, a young girl from a nearby church picnic had wandered into the lake and was struggling underwater. It was Charlie's rescue mission that brought attention to her plight. As he pulled the kite from the water, he simultaneously saved Sherry Morris, a 4-year-old girl, who was later revived through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and fully recovered in the hospital.

Notable Quote:
"Kelly Foss's wind battered kite... came to rest to mark one very special place," the narrator poignantly concludes, highlighting the serendipitous nature of the rescue.

Reflections and Community Impact

The story concludes with a heartfelt reflection on the unforeseen consequences of everyday actions. Kelly's unwavering passion for kite flying not only brought joy and amusement to his community but also played a pivotal role in saving a child's life. The community's initial teasing of Kelly transformed into admiration and gratitude, underscoring the deep bonds formed through shared experiences and mutual support.

Notable Quote:
"So they don't laugh at Kelly and his kites anymore. And now you know why." This line encapsulates the transformation of community perception, turning light-hearted teasing into profound respect.

Conclusion

"Paul Harvey - Kite Flying" serves as a timeless reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the hidden potential within seemingly ordinary moments. Through Kelly Foss's story, the episode celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, the strength of community ties, and the extraordinary outcomes that can arise from passion and perseverance. Harold's Old Time Radio successfully revives the classic radio storytelling tradition, offering listeners a rich, engaging, and emotionally resonant experience.

Note: The episode begins and concludes with advertisements for Amica Insurance ([00:00] and [04:19]), which have been omitted from this summary to focus solely on the content-rich segments as per the request.

Transcript

A (0:00)

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B (0:30)

Now the rest of the story. This is a. This is a. Well, this is a kite tale. Kelly Foss is a kite enthusiast. He owns four of them. A miniature sled kite only 12 inches across, couple of small deltas and medium sized parafoil. And it was that handsome 32 inch red and yellow parafoil that brought him up to Lake meredith Sunday afternoon, May 4th of this year. Now Kelly is a disc jockey at KDJW in Amarillo, Texas. Lake Meredith is just north of town and each year for the past four, KDJW and her sister station KBUY have sponsored a fishing outing at the lake. And each year Kelly brings a kite. Well, actually, folks didn't think he'd have the nerve to bring one this year after what happened last year. It seems Kelly took the kite out of his car trunk, sent it aloft into a darkened sky, and friends at the outing suggested a storm might be brewing. But Kelly had smiled. Then the thunderstorm hit and nobody ever saw Kelly's kite again. That was last year. So this year when co workers saw him coming with another kite, they promptly reminded him of his former glory. Somebody said, here comes Ben Franklin. And everybody laughed. Especially good natured Kelly. This kite came with a guarantee, he insisted. And encouraged by the fair weather, he stood bravely on the dock and sent his majestic red and yellow parafoil kite heavenward. And it was a spectacular flight. A slow, steady breeze made the taught string sing. The kite soared quietly 300ft up the coastline. It seemed that Kelly had more than made up for last year's disaster. But then. Well, this is the rest of the story. Suddenly, a vigorous wind from nowhere had Kelly's tail less kite doing a breakdance in the sky. I'd better reel it in, he thought to himself. But in that instant the nylon line went slack and the parafoil went into a screaming dive. And then, several feet from a crash into the trees, it swooped upward, utterly out of control. As friends laughed, Kelly frantically tugged at the line. But the kite refused to respond. It just continued to dive and to climb and to careen as though it had a mind of its own. I said, as though it had a mind of its own. And then finally, with the same apparent purpose, the parafoil swerved out over the lake and dived into the water. Somebody hollered, ben Franklin does it again. And everybody laughed again. The kite, more than 100ft down the COVID was almost out of sight, but Charlie Holland, the husband of a radio station co worker, offered to retrieve it. About 15ft from the lake Meredith shore, the water gets steep abruptly and Charlie was waiting out there, his lighted pipe still in his mouth, when suddenly he disappeared. But bobbing to the surface, he swam the rest of the way and Kelly's kite was soon safe and dry. But the postscript of this kite tale is this. Nobody had noticed, nor surely would have, that a child from a nearby church picnic had wandered off, had waded out too far, and that little girl was bobbing face down, unconscious in the lake. That is, nobody had noticed until Kelly's wayward kite had plunged into the lake right alongside the drowning girl. So it was Charlie who went out after the kite, who brought her back to shore where she was given mouth to mouth, was revived, was taken to a nearby hospital. And Sherry Morris, age 4, is totally recovered because Kelly Foss's wind battered kite, which could have crashed anywhere with a mind of its own, came to rest to mark one very special place. So they don't laugh at Kelly and his kites anymore. And now you know why. For now you know the rest of the story.